Listen. Be Present.
It’s hard to impress me with chicken.
The only thing I want is for you to listen.
Listen to me about who I want to be –
Or what I find funny,
But most of all I want you to be proud of me.
I don’t need your fancy presents –
I need you to be present.
For my bright days –
But also the broken,
Not someone who,
leaves things unspoken.
I know not everything,
Is meant to be perfect –
But I wish at least,
I had your respect.
I think maybe-
You wanted me for show.
I was nothing more,
Than your shadow.
I’m not impressed by someone who
Cares only about what they have—
What they can give
In ways of gifts.
It’s hard to impress me with chicken,
Because all I ever wanted,
was for you to listen.
April 28, 2025 at 8:25 am
I like how you emphasize that not everything has to be perfect, but putting in effort is important. It can be hard to appreciate little things or gifts when the compassion behind them is missing.
April 28, 2025 at 8:32 am
Abby! I like how you have a deeper meaning in this poem and how you were able to use this difficult prompt to write about something so meaningful.
May 2, 2025 at 11:52 am
I really liked the way you spun the prompt and truly made it your own! The “choppy” format also strikes me, almost as if it’s physically difficult for the speaker to get what they want to say out. This piece hits hard emotionally, particularly with the contrast between the opening line and the theme of the poem, then circling it back around to the line. Great work!!